City Council

February 11 – 18, 2021 EXHIBIT "A" City of Belton AAR Objectives  The purpose of the AAR is to:  Identify Preparedness Steps Taken by each Department.  Overview of events and each City Department’s response to the winter storm.  Identify what went well when dealing with the event.  Identify Departmental deficiencies when dealing with this type event.  Answer the question “What Lessons Did We Learn?” Department Preparedness:  All Departments were notified of the possible sub-zero weather conditions and possible rolling electrical brown-outs. Each department prepared their staff, vehicles, equipment and facilities in order to provide emergency service to the citizens.  Department Internal & External communications processes put in place.  Notifications were published via social media and Code Red of possible City closures. 2-11 thru 2-18 - Below Freezing Power Outages  The State Office of Emergency Management put out notice that ERCOT was going to perform rolling power outages starting on Feb. 11 and lasting through the entire event.  February 14th, several parts of Belton and Bell County began experiencing power and water outages.  ERCOT announced on February 14th the outages were due to power producing equipment failure, not rolling outages. Sites should prepare for long-term outages.  Some power outages lasted until the 18th of February. Water Outages  Within the first three days of temperatures not reaching above freezing, reports of water outages began.  Most outages were specific to the home or business and were caused by frozen water lines.  There was a major water main break on 6th Avenue which was repaired within 24 hours.  Once the temperature went above freezing, the City experienced a high call volume of water issues to include tower sensor issues.  Most calls for service were requests for the water valves to be turned off due to leaks in homes and business.  Very few water issues were due to City infrastructure failure. Warming Sites:  Belton American Legion Hall – 101 W. Avenue  6 person usage  Belton Middle School – 1704 Sparta Rd.  1 family usage  North Belton Middle School – 7907 Prairie View Rd.  3 Family usage  Overnight Shelter needs were transported to Salado United Methodist Church  3 people from ALH transported Responses  Public Works:  City shop responded to 17 City Vehicle issues  Unknown for other crews. This was the biggest lesson learned during the event. We did not keep track of all meters that were turned off.  Parks & Recreation:  2/11 - Patriot Plaza Flag - Froze and became damaged/ dangerous.  Staff in conversation with PW about assistance by mid- week of storm. Ultimately coordinating assistance for weekend to relieve staff.  Estimate # calls that needed responding to: 30 Police Department Responses  Police units responded to 151 calls for service ranging from stranded vehicles to public assist. Fire Department Responses  2 Structure Fires (both mutual aid to include the Hilton Fire in Killeen)  9 Motor Vehicle Accidents  46 Medical Assist  23 Public Assist  18 Alarm Activations Operational Adjustment  City Administration:  Staffed City Hall for two (2) 24 hour periods for increased responsiveness to the community  Fire Department:  Changed responses to medical emergencies to CPR and when EMS were not readily available.  Police Department:  Eliminated random patrols and developed emergency only response plan.  Public Works & Parks:  All operations were modified to respond to the storm. Top Identified Common Strengths  Teamwork  Flexibility - Willingness and Ability of employees to work outside their normal scope  Responsiveness to Internal and External needs  Dedicated Employees - Morale  Preparedness – Proactive approach  Communications  Police and Fire All Wheel Drive Vehicles  Ability to work remotely  State of the art I.T. infrastructure Obstacles  Limited Staffing  Damage to some City facilities’ plumbing due to hard freeze  Slow and Dangerous responses due to icy roadways  Limited winterizing supplies  Lack of overnight accommodations for City employees  Major water break – employee exposure to the cold  Limit access to some areas of the City  Multiple City vehicles stuck due to traction issues  Power and water outages Top Recommendations:  Each Department create a policy and process for forwarding calls when City Offices are closed during normal work hours.  Emergency Services and Public Works create Standard Operating Guidelines for Winter Weather Responses which outlines:  Chain of Command  Communication Plan  Response Precautions  Facility Preparations  Vehicle & Equipment Readiness Recommendations:  Open and staff the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and prepare an Incident Action Plan prior to known large scale weather events. Scale the EOC to properly manage the size of the event. (should not be an after thought)  Continuous messaging on office closures, utility bill changes, Library updates, etc. Social Media, Code Red, Etc.  The City should officially designate Emergency essential/nonessential personnel and clarify duties for each in an emergency.  Pre-approved contracts with vendors who can assist in operations should be in place.  A better water valve marking & mapping system may be needed to quickly identify locations and notify building owners. E-SCOOTERS EXHIBIT "B" TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES IN THE COMMUNITY HOW THEY WORK  App based program.  Open an account. Link account to your credit card. Some providers will require picture of Drivers License.  Open app and locate if scooter is near by.  Some scooters will be strategically placed in high need areas.  Scan QR Code on scooter frame and off you go.  When you complete a ride most providers will ask you to take a picture of the scooter parked upright and away from public pathways.  You are charged a $ amount for how far/ long you traveled.  Time zones for rides and slow or dismount zones can be created in cities. Geo-fencing areas of operation. 2 HISTORY: November 2020:  City of Belton representatives were contacted by Bird Co. about a new business model they were rolling out where electric scooters were being introduced into smaller communities. February 2021:  Bird Co. contacted City staff to notify them that they had indeed secured a potential fleet manager and wanted to pursue bringing scooters to the community. Initial plan is to have 50 scooters.  The City received a second request from ‘Whitefox Scooters’ on 2/24 about a desire to partner with City and UMHB to bring E-scooters to the community. 3 MICROMOBILITY Definition: Transportation over short distances provided by lightweight, usually single-person vehicles (such as bicycles and scooters). Pros: - Reduces car rides on roads. - Connects more residents to transit options. - Carbon neutral - helps improve air quality. - Rides help connect with local businesses. Cons: - Clutter from scooter pile ups on sidewalks and ROW. - Increase in injury - riders and pedestrians. - Riders going where they shouldn’t - sidewalks, trails, etc. - Ability of riders - novice and beginners understanding of Traffic laws. 4 DISCUSSION  Is there a desire for more transportation alternatives like E-Scooters in our community?  Do ordinances need to be amended or created to permit use of E-Scooters?  Are there areas of town that use of E-scooters would be promoted or discouraged?  Questions and concerns? 5